Exodus 34:29-35 – Glowing for God

Moses had been in the presence of God for 40 days and 4o nights in which he fasted. According to Exodus 34:28, this was an absolute fast. He took neither food nor drink for that duration. Moses could last that long because God supernaturally sustained him.  Verse 29 tells us that he was now making his journey down Mount Sinai with the Two tablets on which God had inscribed the Ten Commandments.  Moses was not aware that his face was radiating an unusual glow of the brilliance of God’s glory. The previous time when he came down from the presence of God, he was greeted with riotous revelling before the golden calf that Aaron had made. This time it was different. The people were afraid to come near him because of the afterglow of God’s glory on his face. In fact, they could be running away from him. Verse 31 tells us that Moses had to call out to them to come to him. It was only then that Aaron and the rulers of the congregation returned to him and he spoke with them.

It must have been hard to describe the glow that was radiating from Moses’ face. What is this shine that Moses so radiantly reflected as he descended from God’s presence? It must be the glory of God. For he had been in the presence of God surrounded by His glory. Though he had been with God before, this was the first time he came away with such radiance. Remember Moses had boldly requested to see the face of God. Though he was not granted that request, God allowed him to see the aftermath of His glory. That brief moment was enough for God’s glory to permeate his face until it would reflect that glory. In that brief moment, God also revealed His name and his compassionate, gracious, patient, faithful, truthful and forgiving nature. And now, Moses was reflecting that splendid nature of God.  So awesome was the manifested glory of God on Moses’ face that the people had to turn away in fear. That glory of God on the face of Moses was so penetrating that even their conscience was impacted.

The is another thing that the glory on Moses’ face did for his ministry. It authenticated that whatever he was telling them came from God.  He was speaking on God’s behalf. The afterglow of God’s glory would attest to Moses as the mediator of the covenant. This radiation of God’s glory would give weight to the words he said.  Another thing also, this glory of God reflected on the face of Moses shows us that transformation can take place when we spend time in God’s presence. He is in the business of changing us so that we too can shine with His glory in life. We must make time to be with the Lord to behold His face and know His grace. He will transform us from glory to glory until we are more and more like Christ.